Our Story

Our mission is for you to dig deeper, ride harder, and sweat more. We’re here to do one thing: promote minds and bodies of steel.

We are three women who are driven by doing it better. We are committed to providing a space where you can get your best sweat. When you walk through our door, we want you to forget the world outside and be as selfish as you can be, so that you leave stronger than when you arrived.

We take our inspiration from the steel that surrounds us. It’s tough. Timeless. And most of all, it withstands. We believe that a steel ride is equal parts mental and physical. It’s about discovering how far you can go. And with each ride, achieving more than you thought possible.

If you want a mind and body of steel, join us. Be a part of the revolution. And get ready for the ride of your life.

Meet Our Owners

Alison Mears ::

My Passion for SpinningIt all began in the 7th grade. After a sports-related injury, I was put on a bike to recover and stay in shape. Throughout high school and college, I continued to spin. Encouraged by Steel Revolution spin instructor Tim Komen, I earned my certification and, from that point on, I’ve been hooked! Teaching spin allows me to share my passion for the magic that happens on the bike. Running the room and inducing a killer sweat gives me a high. I’m driven to help people grow and improve, and love the look on a rider’s face when he or she masters a new move or simply gives the class everything they’ve got. The best thing a rider ever told me is that I inspired her to do better and work harder. Bottom line: if I can reach and help even one rider, I consider it to be a good day.

What Motivates Me to Dig DeeperEach day, I strive to be the best version of myself. I work out for me. I push myself for myself. Whether on the bike or elsewhere, I dig deeper to make myself as happy as I can be. If you’re doing it for any other reason, you will never be satisfied. I firmly believe that working out and working hard is the best and most selfish activity anyone can – and should – do! I also dig deeper so that I can eat whatever I want (read: pizza).

How I Define a Revolution A revolution is a change, and that change can take place in the mind, body or spirit. At Steel Revolution, we not only want to work you out and make you sweat, but we want to help encourage change of what we call “the entire package.” I consider the revolution successful if your attitude and mindset changed from the moment you walked through our doors to the moment you left our studio. Of course we want to help you achieve your fitness goals and see results, but our end goal is to revolutionize your thought process on fitness, on what it means to be healthy, and how spinning can induce a positive, can-do outlook. The revolution can be as small as making a bad day or week better, to as big as seeing new muscle tone or improving your speed. A revolution is personal and comes down to what you need in any given moment.

Words to Live ByMy favorite quote comes from Peter Pan: “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.” I think that the choice to cast away doubt applies to everything, but especially to working out and riding. I always tell my class “Where your mind goes, your body will follow.” The work is 90% mindset. If you doubt yourself, your body will doubt you, too. And that applies to anything in life!

Courtney Vadnais ::

My Passion for SpinningGrowing up, I was a very competitive tennis player. Starting at age 11, I played in national tennis tournaments; by the time I was 13 I needed a cross-training workout that I enjoyed. I tried numerous activities before a friend suggested spinning. I took to the bike instantly and loved being able to get lost in the loud music! I continued to spin throughout high school and college, and when I began graduate school at Columbia University in New York City, I discovered a whole new world of cycling. The vibe in classes I took in Manhattan was drastically different than anything I had ever experienced before. The energy and focus were exceptional. As soon as I moved back to Pittsburgh, I got certified and vowed to turn my passion into a side business. At Steel Revolution, I’m committed to giving our riders the very best experience they can possibly have on the bike. Riders gravitate toward instructors who motivate them personally, push them to ride hard, and play great music. We never take the approach of simply putting a warm body on a bike. No, we are not interchangeable. Each instructor is unique and we want them to share their personalities and connect with our riders. We strive to have the best instructors possible so that our riders will always be guaranteed to be pushed to the brink!

What Motivates Me to Dig DeeperMy Family: I am always working to make them proud and be the healthiest version of myself, so that I can be the mom, wife and daughter they need me to be. Competition: I am an extremely competitive person. I always want to win. I want to have the best class, the best studio and the best playlist. Steel Revolution allows me to unleash my competitive edge! Mental Health: I am a much nicer person when I am exercising. I always try to give 110% at whatever I do. The harder I exercise, the more fun I can have with the rest of my day.

How I Define a RevolutionAt our studio, a revolution is a fundamental change in exercise, in what it means to work out. We want people of all shapes, sizes and abilities to join our revolution so that they can come to a place with a friendly staff, high energy instructors, and take 45 minutes each day to be selfish.

Words to Live ByMy personal motto is: “Work Hard, Play Hard!” As a busy mom of two young children, I also juggle Steel Revolution with working full-time as a school counselor at North Allegheny School District, so balancing work and play is critical. My spinning motto is: “Give it three classes before you quit.” Most of us need three classes just to get accustomed to the bike seat! Spinning is hard, but the benefits are tremendous – so give it a chance!